Organization Recognizes Academic Excellence in Two-Year Colleges
Angelina College on Thursday inducted 17 new members into its Upsilon Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa – the international honor society for two-year colleges – in a ceremony held inside Temple Theater on the AC campus.
AC president Dr. Michael Simon greeted the inductees and their families, sharing that Angelina College has sponsored the Upsilon Rho Chapter since 1969.
Keynote speaker Dr. Kyle King shared his “unconventional path” to his career in dentistry.
“My dental career began with, of all things, an act of service,” King said. “As a college student, I went to Mexico on a medical mission trip, and I saw what an impact I could have on a community.”
King went on to share advice he received: “Take care of your patients, and the rest will work itself out.”
“I thought those words could be extrapolated further,” King told the audience. “Take care of others, and the rest will work itself out.”
The new inductees strolled the stage to sign their names into the PTK book while receiving their traditional candles and roses, along with the ceremonial cord presented by Simon. Chapter administrator Dr. Tim Ditoro, along with PTK advisors Dr. Tom McKinney and Dr. Carrie Geisbauer, also addressed the inductees.
AC’s newest PTK members include Jennifer Adams, Ana Del Toro, Tannia Diaz, Antonia Henao, Justice Jackson, Eliana Lopez, Laranda Matlock, Abigail Mays, Kaylynn Moore, Brooke Pond, Luan Rangel, Kailee Richey, Eden Rowland, Emily Sanchez, Jasmine Seay, Mir Raciv Tayamen and Leta Wood.
From AC’s Phi Theta Kappa page:
“Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for the two-year college. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is demonstrated in the four hallmarks of the society: scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. Through activities, the organization strives to honor those hallmarks for the improvement of the community, the college, others, and themselves. To be eligible for membership, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and have completed at least 12 hours of college work. Members must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA each semester following their induction. Provisional membership is available to students who have not yet completed twelve hours of college credit.”
For further information regarding PTK, contact Dr. Tim Ditoro at tditoro@angelina.edu.